Supervisors approve merger study

The Lower Alsace Township supervisors Wednesday night agreed to proceed with a study on a potential merger with Mount Penn.

They hired the Pennsylvania Economy League to examine the advantages and disadvantages.

The study was authorized contingent on it not costing more than $25,000 and Mount Penn also participating and paying half the cost.

Officials believe the cost of the study will be reimbursed through a county grant, said Terry L. Styer, township manager.

Lower Alsace and Mount Penn held a meeting earlier this month to discuss studying a merger. The municipalities last conducted a merger study in 2002.

Styer reported that she talked with Wyomissing and Spring Township officials about recent mergers and received encouraging responses.

In recent years, Wyomissing Hills merged with Wyomissing and West Lawn with Spring Township.

The supervisors also:

• Approved a resolution opposing state Act 13, the Marcellus shale gas drilling impact fee law. The law eliminates local control over gas drilling and pipelines, said Karen Feridun of Berks Gas Truth, who spoke at the meeting.

• Agreed to advertise for bids to install curb cuts in conjunction with this year's street work. The cuts are estimated to cost about $25,000, Styer said.